8 Important Hiring Trends for 2014

December 16, 2013

11:00 am

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With 2014 quickly approaching, it’s time to take a look at what’s in store for the future of the recruiting industry. Hiring experts are starting to predict the most important factors in hiring and the way recruitment efforts should change in the new year.

Here are eight of the most important hiring trends you should anticipate for 2014:

1. More expensive hiring.Statistics show hiring is going to get more expensive in 2014. Because employment rates have risen in the tech, healthcare, financial, marketing, and other fields (which is great!), there aren’t as many talented workers to go around. That means you might have to spend more to attract top talent. Keep this in mind as you enter the new year.

2. Marketing instead of recruiting. Because of the changes in the talent pool, you will have to begin thinking about the long-term. According to ERE, this means developing a strong employer brand that brings talented workers to you. You need to start thinking like a marketer instead of a recruiter. Define your target audience and develop a strategy to reach them.

3. Utilizing data. Like marketers, ERE also suggests analyzing data to reach your talent pool. Invest in market research to determine the best recruiting methods. Combine your strengths in recruiting with the hard data to make the best hiring decisions.

4. Going mobile. Optimizing your recruiting efforts for mobile devices is becoming increasingly more important. In fact, 70 percent of job seekers are using their mobile devices to find jobs. You need to make it easy for candidates to read about and apply for jobs on their mobile devices.

5. More older workers. Something that may surprise you is the anticipated increase in older workers. According to the Census Bureau, there will be 40 million workers between the ages of 55 and 64 in 2014. You cannot neglect your older talent pool. They have different expectations than Millennials, so adjust your expectations and your recruiting techniques.

6. Retaining young workers. Although there will be more older workers, you also have to focus on retaining younger ones. Millennial workers are not just looking for jobs. According to Merced Sun Star, they want interesting and challenging work. Give your young workers a challenge in order to keep them interested in working for you.

7. Shortage of STEM grads. Something else you’ll have to look out for in 2014 is a shortage of graduates in the science, tech, engineering, and math fields. Will fewer STEM workers to choose from, you will have to amp up your recruitment game if you want to land the best.

8. Tech positions. Despite the shortage, there will be an increase in hiring for employees with skills in advanced manufacturing and cyber-physical systems, according to Beyond.com. You need to become familiar with these kinds of jobs and the skills required if you want to find the best candidates for the position.

There are many more trends to look out for in the coming year, but these are a few to get you going. Between new marketing techniques, an emphasis on mobile, and targeting your talent, you will be on your way to a successful hiring mission in 2014.

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Heather R. Huhman is a career expert, experienced hiring manager, and founder & president of Come Recommended, a content marketing and digital PR consultancy for job search and human resources technologies. She is also the author of Lies, Damned Lies & Internships (2011) and #ENTRYLEVELtweet: Taking Your Career from Classroom to Cubicle (2010). Find Heather on Google+.